NOC*NSF to scrap Olympic medal bonuses after 2026 Winter Games

Dutch athletes will no longer receive financial bonuses for winning medals at the Olympic or Paralympic Games after the 2026 Winter Games in Italy, the national sports federation NOC*NSF announced on Wednesday.

The decision marks the end of a long-standing tradition in which Olympic medallists received prize money funded by the organisation. NOC*NSF said the payouts, which total €2 million per Olympic cycle, were no longer justifiable.

“NOC*NSF is prioritising talent development, athlete support and strong preparation for international competitions,” the organisation said in a statement. “Given the steep rise in costs, difficult choices must be made.”

At the upcoming Winter Games in Milan, a gold medal will still earn an athlete €30,000. Silver will be worth €15,000 and bronze €7,500. Paralympic athletes will receive €20,000 for a gold medal. A portion of the current €2 million budget was already paid out following the Paris games last year.

In 2024, NOC*NSF introduced a cap allowing athletes to receive only one medal bonus per Games, regardless of how many medals they won.

The sports body said the savings would be redirected towards programmes developing long-term performance and international competitiveness. It also said it would continue to press for a proper income and pension for the country’s top athletes.